In January 2022, the former Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland gave Brothers and their wives a talk about been a Christain and a member of the Police Service.
Sir Matthew first gave an appraisal of his career, starting in South London before moving up the ranks, getting special training , before becoming Assistant Chief Constable in West Midlands, then appointed to be Chief Constable in Leicestershire, and finally then in 2009 been appointed Chief Constable of the Police Service in Northern Ireland.
Sir Matthew gave a humorous speech including what it was like have both the late Iain Paisley and Martin McGuinness as his bosses on the The Northern Ireland Policing Board.
Sir Matthew gave an insight on what it is like to be Christian and a member of the Police Service during his talk.
Sir Matthew gave the circle a funny Prince Philip quip and meeting his heroes the Obama’s during the White House St Patrick Day Dinner.
Sir Matthew gave the circle a brief outline of his post retirement work which involves working with the Cardinal Vincent Nicholls and Vatican on Anti Slavery issues.
From the 8th to 10th of October twenty-one Ladies and Brothers, accompanied by friends of NW Circle Fr Bernard McDermott, Ian and Liz Salmon of Birmingham 64 and Christopher and Rosalie Wilding of Ampleforth, enjoyed a weekend together in Lancashire.
The group stayed at the Wrightington Hotel just outside Parbold, where we were very well looked after and enjoyed two excellent dinners on Friday and Saturday evening.
The weekend included trips to the World of Glass in St Helens, Helmshore Mill near Blackburn and the Christian Heritage Centre (CHC) at Stonyhurst. Whilst at Stonyhurst, CHC Director Stefan Kaminski gave an excellent talk on the history of Stonyhurst, The Stonyhurst Collections, and the recent establishment of the Christian Heritage Centre.
Of particular interest to us as Catenians, Stefan outlined the new Christian Leadership Formation Programme for sixth form students which is in its first year. This programme is designed for students who are motivated by their faith to help shape and create a society founded on Christian values and are seriously considering some form of public life or leadership role. After the talk the group toured round the Centre, the outside of the college and St Peter’s church and followed up with a delightful lunch in their restaurant.
The weekend was rounded off on Sunday morning with Fr Bernard celebrating a lovely Mass in the hotel before gathering for the last time (yes, even more food) by enjoying lunch at the Owd Barn in Bispham.
The weather was kind, and it was wonderful to be able to be together and, once again, enjoy each other’s company
The World of Glass is dedicated to the local history of the town and borough primarily through the lens of the glass industry but also looking at other local industries
World of Glass Tour in St Helens
Helmshore Mill Tour in Blackburn, a place where Lancashire’s industrial past is brought to life through a multi-sensory
North Warwickshire Circle celebrated its annual Irish Night after their Zoom Circle meeting on 8th March. Brothers Jim Tomlinson and Vice President Vince Jordan put together a programme of entertainment which included renditions of Irish songs from Jim himself, Mike Feery and John O’Brien, who also accompanied himself on the guitar, as well as a video of Irish dancing which had been performed outside in San Fransisco.
To cap the evening off in superb style, Ellie Ajao provided sparkling violin recitals of a number of Irish songs and jigs, mostly solo but in some she was supported by a violinist friend. And the finale was ‘Danny Boy’ – what else! Ellie is the exceptionally talented granddaughter of Jo Morton and our late Brother Kit Morton, so the emphasis was definitely on ‘home grown’ talent. All eyes, whether Irish or not, were certainly smiling by the end of the evening!
